2022 Subaru Ascent problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (11) · Service Brakes (9) · Visibility/Wiper (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Ascent model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment:other:labels 2026-07-07 · campaign 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
Electrical System:wiring:interior/Under Dash 2022-12-08 · campaign 22V907000 · 271,694 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Ascent vehicles. The ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may have been improperly fastened, which could result in melting of the ground terminal and surrounding components.
Risk: A melting ground terminal increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicle away from structures and to avoid leaving the vehicle unattended while the engine is running. An owner who notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver's footwell area should immediately stop operating the vehicle and turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position. Dealers will replace the PTC heater ground bolts and if necessary, replace the ground wire and the connector holder, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be m
Service bulletins (319)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Engine 2026-09-29 · 09-141-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for customer concerns about hesitation, reduced acceleration, or lack of power when driving uphill or under heavy engine load.
Electrical System 2026-09-29 · 07-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides a repair procedure for increased dark current and unintended battery discharge that occurs in a small number of unique cases.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Showing the 6 most recent of 319 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-09 · Vehicle Speed Control“my vehicle will abruptly break coming to a complete stop if a vehicle behind me approaches too quickly or gets too close to my vehicle. yes the its uptoday on inspections and no errors show with in the vehicles computer system. …”
2026-06-25 · Engine“the front exhaust pipe on my 2022 subaru ascent cracked at approximately 77,800 miles. the component is available for inspection. prior to diagnosis, i noticed a rattle/fluttering noise coming from the undercarriage during acceleration. the problem was confirmed by an authorized subaru dealership. subaru has issued tsb 09-106-23 acknowledging this …”
2026-06-24 · Steering · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2022 subaru ascent. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist, the speedometer was inoperable, and the transmission failed to shift into gear. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who inspected the…”
2026-05-19 · Engine“exhaust "nut" mysteriously went missing, causing noises, and subaru technician stated to replace exhaust if issues persist. vehicle was under warranty, only been serviced by certified subaru technicians, and multi-point inspections were allegedly performed during every service, however, the exhaust "nut" were somehow still went missing.…”
2026-04-26 · Seats“the front driver seat cushion/seat cover is deteriorating and ripping at the front portion of the seat. while driving, i can feel road vibration and impacts through the driver seat much more than normal, and the seat no longer feels properly cushioned or supported. i am concerned this affects the driver seating position, comfort, and ability to mai…”
2026-04-17 · Power Train · 115,000 mi“the contact owns a 2022 subaru ascent. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. the vehicle was slowly driven to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. …”
2026-04-02 · Lane Departure: Warning“my eyesight camera keeps failing, it just started like a week ago i had it scanned and it is saying there is an error with the eyesight camera, i have not had an issue with it until now. …”
2026-03-26 · Power Train“traveling back home from our vehicle downhill the vehicle started aggressively started to downshift that caused disengaging it was scary and almost wrecked into a tree. the car was very hot and smoking . we were stranded and afraid to move the car as we sat for over an hour and had to walk two miles in the dark to home with two children . we could …”
2026-03-23 · Air Bags“while driving under normal road conditions at approximately 35mph, the side airbags in the vehicle deployed unexpectedly without any collision, impact, or apparent external cause. there were no warning lights, alerts, or prior indications of any system malfunction before the deployment. the sudden airbag deployment startled the driver and created …”
2026-03-20 · Unknown Or Other“2022 subaru ascent. noticed progressive strong odor in the car. after rain had significant fluid accumulation in the front passenger ceiling, inside front passenger door (sloshing), and wet carpets on the floor on the passenger side. serviced by subaru dealer water specialist who reported (1) clogged moonroof drains and "popped off connector" leadi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.